There are a few dishes that instantly come to mind when you think of a ‘classic’ Aussie dinner. Most of us are almost too well-versed in eating meat and three veg, spag bol, sausage rolls and meat pies. But they are classics for a reason – they’re delicious, accessible, and easy to achieve for busy families. So why not experiment a little with these old faithfuls?
Adding seafood is an easy way to reinvigorate family favourites, while still maintaining their simplicity and wide appeal. To keep the price low (as the cheapness of products like mince and sausages are part of what makes these dishes great), we’ve suggested cheaper alternatives for every species in these recipes.
Bangers and Mash
Pan-fried Ocean Perch Fillets with Parsnip Mash, Almonds & Olives
The comfort brought about by an easy dish of bangers and mash cannot be understated. Luckily, frying up a fish fillet is just as easy as throwing some sausages in a pan, and with a basic mash and some seasonal vegetables, you have the perfect weeknight dinner.
Ocean Perch is a great budget option for fish fillets, especially with the skin crisped up in the pan. They generally retail for around $20/kg, which means this meal comes in at a measly $5 per person! You can leave out the extravagant touches of olives and almonds if you are feeding the family, but they are fantastic additions for a dinner party.
Rissoles
Ribaldo & Sweet Potato Fish Cakes with Dill Sauce
Redfish & Potato Cakes with Lemon Mayo
Rissoles are essentially the Aussie version of pan-fried meatballs, and (like many entries on this list) they’re popular because of how simple and cheap they are to make. Fish cakes are the ocean’s rissoles, and they have all the same qualities as the classic dish, with an extra tasty twist.
This is a great recipe to get the kids involved in, as the hand-mixing and rolling process is super fun for little hands. You can essentially use any inexpensive fish for these recipes, and it will taste delicious. We recommend species like Redfish, Gurnard, or Ocean Perch… You can even purchase pre-minced Tuna or Salmon for a low price.
Spag Bol
Black Handkerchief Pasta with Seafood & Tomato Sauce
Linguine ai Frutti di Mare
Fettuccine with Balmain Bugs
While pasta is (of course) Italian, Spaghetti Bolognese has well and truly cemented its spot as an Australian classic dinner. And the good news is that there are so many delicious seafood pasta recipes to try that are both affordable and tasty.
Fresh mixed seafood marinara is available from most Sydney Fish Market retailers, and it is easy to create a fantastic pasta dish with this. Just toss through some tinned tomatoes, classic Italian seasonings, and al dente spaghetti for a next-level pasta dish.
Similarly simple is tossing a pre-cooked crustacean like prawns, crab, or lobster through your favourite pasta. While this method does end up slightly more expensive, it’s still a great way to make the most of high value species, as you don’t need much seafood to enjoy the flavours.
Chicken Schnitzel
Crumbed Pan-Fried King George Whiting with Baked Chips
Butterflied Garfish Fried in a Crisp Coating
A pub feed is as about as Australian as it gets, and the most popular dish on many pub menus is the Chicken Schnitzel. The crispy, crumbed coating on a schnitzel works beautifully when you replace the chicken with fish, and sides are only limited by your imagination.
Again, many species suit this cooking method, but some of the cheapest include Australian Sardines, Ocean Perch, Ocean Jacket, and Morwong.
Meat Pie
Seafood Pie with Leek, Garlic & Chives
Fish, Capsicum & Tomato Pot Pies
Mexican Fish Picnic Pies
Who doesn’t love a good pie? They are hearty, satisfying, and can be easily customised to your personal tastes. Adding seafood to a pie is a healthier and lighter option than beef or lamb, and there are a lot of options in this space.
There are plenty of low-cost fish species that do really well in pies. As a rule, choosing a firmer-fleshed fish works better, as it holds together in the pie mixture. Good options include Ling, Dory, and Atlantic Salmon.
